Dighton will euthanize dogs that killed teen

May 23, 2019 2:04 am

DIGHTON, Mass. (WLNE) — At Wednesday’s Dighton Board of Selectmen meeting, there was a moment of silence for Ryan Hazel.

“Dighton’s big heart continues to grieve for Ryan Hazel and his family,” said Selectwoman Nancy Goulart. “And in their memory I would request a moment of silence, please.”

The 14-year-old was mauled to death by dogs he was watching.

And with a vote from Dighton’s board of selectmen, the five dogs that killed him, will be euthanized.

“It was a tough decision,” said Kenneth Pacheco, Chair of the Dighton Board of Selectmen. “However, it was the right decision. I won’t be losing sleep over the decision. I don’t think any member will be. But it’s not an easy decision, given the circumstances of what happened.”

Hazel was caring for the dogs on May 9 while their owner, Scott Dunmore, was away from his property on Maple Swamp Road.

A neighbor found Hazel with injuries all over his body in the backyard.

“The size of these dogs – they’re big,” said Denise Woodcock of Dighton. “They have a lot of force and a lot of weight behind them. And once they become a pack, they attack.”

Hazel had grown up around dogs and had cared for these particular dogs previously on multiple occasions, so it’s unclear why they suddenly attacked.

After the incident all 11 dogs on the property were quarantined, and determined to be unlicensed. The five that were determined to be involved in the attack are the ones that will now be put down.

“I’m not in favor of it, but it has to be done,” said Derek Parks of Dighton. “Because I guess — who else can take care of these now? Because they’re known dangerous.”

The dogs’ owner, Scott Dunmore, was not at Wednesday’s meeting. But he gave his dogs to the town, allowing the town to decide their fate. Pacheco said he does not expect Dunmore to face charges.